"Art for me starts with life itself, not just on the paper."
Meet Melinda
Melinda is a Penang-based artist. Her work is inspired by noticing the beauty in her surroundings; often ordinary, sometimes overlooked. And by paying attention to words and images in her heart. Working across figurative and abstract approaches, she creates work that invites people to notice the beauty in our world and the hope we carry within.
Melinda has been developing her studio practice since 2021, and her work has found homes in Malaysia, Portugal, France, and beyond.
She writes Sunday Studio, a newsletter sharing reflections on art, creativity, and the journey of building an artistic life.
I paint things I see—in my surroundings and in the eye of my heart. Sometimes figuratively, sometimes fully abstract, when the vision calls for it.
Here's my story
As the only child in the family with no siblings to play with, my late mother would buy me books to read and art books to keep me occupied.
Coming from the maternal side of the family where different ones would paint, draw, play the guitar, sew, and do arts & crafts—I didn’t realise I was being nurtured by this creative environment.
Though always drawn to art and words, I ignored this artistic path, and chose safer careers for over two decades.
It was when I went through a tough period in my life: family, health, and work, that I found solace through writing, drawing and painting. And with life’s inevitable ups and downs, I continue to find rest and connection through making art.